Exodus 7-11 gives us explicit details about the ten plagues
that God sent over Pharaoh and the land of Egypt. One of the most intricate
details is how The Lord made distinction between HIS people and that of Pharaoh’s,
for the plagues sent didn’t affected the Israelites but ONLY the Egyptians. In part #1, we saw how The Lord’s plans for us are NOT like
those for the world who does not accept Him; and how HE’s called us to be separated
for HIM.[1]
Part #2 starts with the Lord giving Moses the reason of
Pharaoh’s stubbornness which is none other than to display God’s miraculous signs
among the people. Also to be a teaching
for the children about God’s power and how it was displayed all around so
everyone including children would now The Lord.[2] And again, although these plagues had the main purpose of
create consciousness in the leader of this land, to free the Israelites and to
let them go worship The Lord, there’s more to add to this great group of things
for all of us, even today, to learn from this account.
·
The people of God carry on a message from God to
a leader (this is essential for us today)
·
Sometimes the message of God to pass on is a strong one with adverse consequences
·
A swarm of hungry locusts seems to be no joke!
·
Hailstorm can make some “pretty good” damage but
still leave some things out, and that’s what the locusts eat, whatever the
hailstorm didn’t take.
·
There’s always a first for everything, here was
the swarm of locusts, never seen before
·
Sometimes we need to pay attention to what those
who are under our authority are saying
·
After seven of the ten plagues the land of Egypt
was in ruins
·
Pharaoh still hesitant to let the people go, but
now questions about who’s going and what for?
·
Pharaoh refused the deal, and said something
like what’s said today, “under my dead body!”
·
In obedience to God, Moses raises the staff, and
the Lord send the wind that brought the locusts
·
A dense swarm of locusts that darkens the place
is a very scary thing. I’m glad I wasn’t there!
·
The locusts stripped the town down to the
ground!
·
The word “quickly” most likely meant hours
because of the distance between the camps of the Jews and the Egyptian palace,
and all by walking or by horse
·
Another life-altering event happened, this one
for three days, the 9th plague
·
A deep and thick darkness covered the entire
land of Egypt, how bad could that be, right? Wrong!
·
Pharaoh tries to counter offer Moses again,
forgetting that is not Moses whose making the rules
·
Moses patiently, explains things to Pharaoh
·
By now, Pharaoh’s getting tire of this Moses,
and expels him from his presence
·
A warning is given to Moses that if he dares to comes
back to see Pharaoh, he will die
·
The Lord speaks again to Moses, encouraging him
about this coming and last plague
·
The encouragement comes with good news and bad
news.
·
This was going to be the decisive point, for it
would be so strong that Pharaoh will not dare to make another counteroffer but
submit to the Lord’s request just the way HE wanted it.
·
God not only dealt with Pharaoh’s heart but
since the palace workers as well as the people of Egypt were hurting every time,
God dealt with their hearts as well.
·
All of Egypt would look to the Jews favorably
which would make them provide their needs
·
Moses gives this last message to Pharaoh, and
left angry because it was a strong judgment but Pharaoh still seemed to be
uncaring
·
The morning came, and every Egyptian household
from the palace down mourn for the dead of their firstborn sons, including in
their animal’s families
·
In Egypt a loud wail rose, the hurt was too much
to bear.
·
While in the Jews’ camp there was peace and all at
ease, not even dogs barked.
·
The LORD made the most CLEAR distinction ever, between
Jews & Egyptians
A popular local proverb says “For money the monkey dances”,
and that seemed to be Pharaoh’s case, when he hurt he would agree to anything
just to get the pain away, but then too quickly forgot how bad the pain had
been, making him fall in the stubbornness again, and again, and again!
I’m not sure if you ever had to be without electricity for a
few days, but that’s no fun at all!!! I
grew up in Puerto Rico, and in hurricane’s season “powerless” for days was in; classes
were cancelled, we had no TV, no radio unless you have a whole stack of
batteries size D to power your “boom box”; no fans with a heat of almost ninety
degrees, and sometimes more. And with a house full of siblings all day,
hustling and bustling, moms were not in a good mood, and it was no fun! See, in PR was only no electric power, but in the land of
Egypt where this plague of darkness came over, the deep darkness was so thick
that not only you could feel it, but you could not see each other, and people didn’t
even move for three day!!! Come on!!! That must have been terrible!!! And then maybe trying to see if that’s all
over the land of where does it end, or if any light is coming from somewhere.
Perhaps those that were close by to the border of the Jews area, where they in
fact did have no darkness at all, probably they could see some like at far, and
not being able to get out of the dark… not funny at all, either! A deep and
thick darkness covered the entire land of Egypt, how bad could that be, right? Wrong!
Thinking about how desperate/angry sometimes we get. Because
after asking something to someone and either in their immaturity or their disregard
we have to repeat it several times those last times have a different tone,
maybe a deeper one. On the other hand,
here Moses’ patient shows enough kindness with this stubborn Pharaoh, because
by now, there’s been nine times that he had to go over to try to “convince”
this guy to do the right thing. Is like God’s telling us learn from this and pray…
“Lord, give me Moses’ strength, patience and endurance to hold on, even when I’m
about to sin!”
An important detail that we cannot let go, is the fact that
we MUST be aware of who GOD is, and recognize the place HE has in our lives; is
HE in the Driver seat or in the Passenger seat? Because if HE is in the Passenger seat, He gives
and suggest for you to go here or there, but as a Driver, HE IS the decisions’
maker. Hum!!!? Think about this! I ask again, who is GOD, your Driver or your Passenger?!
Unfortunately for some of us, when the trials we go to
become extreme is when we finally decide to submit to God and cry onto HIM for
help. It’s a hard truth! And this is what happened to Pharaoh, when his heart
got broken because part of his flesh got killed, (his son), then that was the
point where he said “no more holding”.
And as promised, Moses was told to take everything and whatever wanted
and leave for good!
At the end of the GOD’s demonstration of favor towards HIS
people, Moses remember what God had promised him, “Pharaoh will not listen to
you, but then I will do even more mighty miracles in the land of Egypt.”[3]
By now, I’m sure you got the message, as people of God there
are promises that belong ONLY to us; NOT to those who aren’t God’s. The promises of God will bring a blessing to you,
for although it might seem different, at the end it will bless you! Fix your eyes in HIM who is the Giver of
life, and the only ONE who can turn your mourn into dance, and give you tears
of joy. If you know you aren’t part of HIS people, what are you
waiting for? Call upon HIS name, now, tomorrow could be too late!!!
With the love of Christ, I love you, and I’m praying that
you choose to live for HIM from now on and forever! Let me know if you need help starting or renewing
your relationship with The Lord.
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